Did you know that your gut health can affect your heart health? As it turns out, researchers have found a link between the two. The bacteria in your gut play an important role in regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you are interested in keeping both of these healthy for life, then this post is for you! Here, we will discuss how to maintain a healthy gut to help keep your heart happy.
What is the link between your gut and heart health?
The gut-heart connection goes deeper than you thought. Recent research has explored the relationship between our digestive system, especially the type of bacteria in our microbiome, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The main reason for this link is that harmful bacteria overgrowth can cause inflammation in the blood vessels, which might lead to atherosclerosis. On the other hand, some types of gut bacteria have been found to have protective benefits against CVD. For instance, research showed that “Akkermansia muciniphila,” a type of bacteria found in the guts of healthy people, can improve blood sugar levels and cholesterol profile.
How does healthy diet help with heart health?
A study shows that people who eat high fiber fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of developing coronary artery disease. Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, peas, and whole grains contain many nutrients which are good for heart health. For example, apples are loaded with antioxidants that can protect our bodies against free radicals and atherosclerosis, while kale is rich in vitamins K, C, and A that help lower homocysteine levels which can damage the blood vessels. In addition, our gut microbiome also plays a role in processing these nutrients from whole foods.
Read more: How to Prevent Heart Attack Naturally.
Why do we need to take probiotics for our hearts?
Probiotics are known for their ability to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and protect the body against harmful bacteria. Research has shown that they can also reduce inflammation in blood vessels
The benefits of eating whole foods
Processed foods contain fewer nutrients than whole foods because processing removes most of these nutrients. In addition, processed foods contain a lot of refined sugar and unhealthy ingredients, which can contribute to metabolic syndrome and CVD. On the other hand, whole foods are rich in nutrients that have been shown to prevent heart disease.
Tips on how to eat healthier and live longer
Here are some tips for a healthier gut:
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Lean meat like poultry or fish can be a good source of protein
- Avoid foods high in saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol
- Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and drinks with added sugars
- Follow Healthy Eating Plate guidelines for a heart-healthy diet
- Cook with heart-healthy fats like olive oil, canola oil, and other vegetable oils
- Eat whole grains instead of refined grain products
- Limit salt intake to less than 1 teaspoon a day.
If you are looking for professional help to maintain a healthy gut and a hearty heart, then visit a heart health program in Denver
We hope you enjoyed our post about the gut-heart connection and found it interesting to learn more about how what we eat, and drink impacts not just our GI tract but also heart health!